Presents:

Presents:
Check our trailer here
Marketing Pack 2013
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Contents
Show Information
Company History
Brochure Copy
Press Quotes
Audience Feedback
Poster
Marketing Information
Cast and Crew Biographies
Press Release
Company Contact
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SHOW INFORMATION
'impeccably-timed physical theatre'
The Stage
You and Me is a bitter-sweet physical comedy that offers a rose tinted window into the lives of two
elderly sisters. The sisters share the intimacy of a life lived together – careering between genuine
affection and irritated annoyance. They have spent their entire existence together and now face
their final year’s cut-off and isolated from the world. As life moves on without them, they create
their own reality within the four walls of their fading home. Their conversations dance between
hilarious defamation, tender reminiscing and all too often ‐ pure madness! In these exchanges we
realize that for one person this madness isn’t simple eccentricity, but an actual illness that will soon
render them unrecognizable. Sharing fantasies, memories, anxieties and fears we see how this
couple cope with an ever‐changing reality and cling on, in very different ways, to what they know as
home.
Performed by two Spanish Actresses living in London (Mercè Ribot and Patricia Rodríguez), and
directed by Bryony Shanahan Little Soldier Productions present an adaptation of Roger Simeon’s
absurd text that directly draws from their own roots, cultural identities and languages, giving the
piece an extremely personal touch whilst maintaining a universal theme.
Winner of the Argus Angel Award at Brighton Fringe 2013, ‘You and Me’ is a funny yet touching
story which explores old age with humour and tenderness underscored by music to create a rich
and moving hour of theatre.
★★★★Exeunt (London)
★★★★ Everything Theatre
★★★★ Fringe Guru
★★★★ Views from the Gods
★★★★ Exeunt (Exeter)
Written and translated by Roger Simeon
Age recommendation: 8+
Adapted and directed by Bryony Shanahan
• Show length: 60 minutes (no interval)
Designed by Sophia Simensky
• Fee available on request (+ travel &
accommodation where applicable)
Lighting Design by Seth Rook Williams
Developed and performed
Rodríguez and Mercè Ribot.
www.youandmetheplay.com
by
• Accompanying workshops in performance
and devising or language based, are also
available.
Patricia
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COMPANY HISTORY
Little Soldier Productions is a UK based company founded in London in 2010. Co-directed by Patricia
Rodríguez and Mercè Ribot, the company is committed to the production of innovative and
courageous professional theatre that entertains, engages, and stretches creative and artistic
boundaries both in the UK and internationally. Their work focuses on promoting cross-cultural
artistic collaborations and creating shows that explore the humour within human tragedy.
In 2010, Greenwich Theatre co-produced Pakita: Stimulating, Bitter and Necessary - Little Soldier
Productions’ first show - by award winning playwright Ernesto Caballero and performed by Patricia
Rodríguez. This marked the premiere of a new English Translation, which was developed in direct
partnership with the playwright. The show had already achieved great success in Spain and with
Little Soldier, enjoyed very successful runs at the New End Theatre in Hampstead, Teatro Latea in
New York and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Rodríguez was praised for her performance but also
for her versatility to present the show in both English and Spanish.
‘You and Me’ is the second production of Little Soldier and premiered at ‘Catalan Weekend’ (Rich
Mix, London) in June; a celebration of Spanish artists from Catalonia, working in the UK. In 2013 has
enjoyed a month run at The Blue Elephant Theatre and a spring tour at several UK venues (Bike Shed
theatre, Greenwich Theatre, The Plough Arts Centre between others); including the Nightingale
Theatre -as part of the Brighton Fringe-, where it was awarded the Argus Angel. The show will now
travel to the New York’s PAM Festival at Iati theatre in July.
Little Soldier Productions is currently working on The Knight of the Sorrowful Figure (
Views from the Gods)- based on Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Its work-in-progress opened
at The Blue elephant in May 2013.
www.youandmetheplay.com
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BROCHURE COPY
Two elderly sisters live in a foreign land against the backdrop of a battered rug and a mountain of
mysterious boxes. They share an existence of outrageous defamation, tender reminiscing and pure
madness, careering between affection and annoyance. But is their behaviour just eccentricity or
something more destructive?
Winner of the Argus Angel Award at Brighton Fringe 2013, ‘You and Me’ is a funny yet touching story
which explores old age with humour, imagination and tenderness.
(50 words)
A bitter-sweet physical comedy about two elderly Spanish sisters sharing the intimacy of a life
together. The pair shifts between defamation, tender reminiscing and pure madness.
Winner of the Argus Angel Award-Brighton Fringe 2013, ‘You and Me’ is a funny yet touching story
which explores old age with humour and tenderness.
Tag Line
You and Me’ A bitter-sweet physical comedy for everyone who is a day older than yesterday!
www.youandmetheplay.com
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PRESS QUOTES
'impeccably-timed physical theatre' |The Stage
'a compelling masterstroke of physical comedy' |A Younger Theatre
‘masterpiece. Stellar performances. The best of the Fringe’ |The Argus (Brighton Fringe)
‘Beautiful, strident harmony'
★★★★ Exeunt (London)
‘Refreshingly different. Character acting at its best.’
★★★★ Everything Theatre
‘very funny show; great moments of surreal lunacy’
★★★★ Fringe Guru
‘You and Me takes some difficult themes and makes them
thoroughly entertaining’
★★★★ Views from the Gods
'funny, insightful and poignant piece '
★★★★ Exeunt (Exeter)
‘Rodriquez and Ribot are consummate performers’ |Female Arts
‘A bitter-sweet comedy’ | Artez Blai. Spain
‘an incredible explosion of talent with two of the
best actresses I have seen in a long time’
Aitor Basauri | Spymonkey
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AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
“Well done to everyone -great performance- good luck for the future! Looking forward to the
next one.”
“Just wonderful and so well done. Congrats girls & creative team!”
“Funny and thought properly! I hope I am that energetic when I am that age!”
“I am pleasantly surprised! The show was absolutely beautiful -acting, writting and comedic
timing. The characters played by both of you were played with thought and very realistically. The
energy from you both is to be commended. Well done and I look forward to seeing the show
again tomorrow!”
“Brilliant show! Great acting and comic timing! The set was lovely, Patricia you were a very
believable old woman, super! You were both great!”
“I am so so glad I stayed to see the show. It was the best show I’ve seen here, hands down! You
reminded me so much of my grandmothers! You both were so believable as characters! I
laughed out loud throughout (wine came out of my nose!!!), and I even felt like aging (!!) at
some points. Thank you for an AMAZING show!!!”
“Loved the play!”
“Absolutely loved it!”
(more audience feedback available on http://www.youandmetheplay.com/reviews.html )
www.youandmetheplay.com
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Poster (Photo by Francesca D’Ascari and design by Julia Solans)
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MARKETING INFORMATION
Target markets
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New and contemporary theatre work attendees, particularly comic/physical/devised theatre
with international cast members– past attendees of Peepolykus, The Plasticine Men, Beartrap
Theatre, Told by an Idiot, Complicite, Gonzo Moose, Les Enfants Terribles, Theatre ad Infinitum,
Spymonkey and Snuff Box Theatre.
Alternative, fringe theatre attendees.
The Spanish/Catalan communities in London.
Spanish/Catalan students and lovers of Spanish/Catalan culture.
Theatre and Performing Arts students.
Selling points
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Contributes to the celebration of the multicultural artistic scene.
Encourages the Spanish community in traditionally English speaking areas to come to the
theatre.
Broad audience appeal as it is entertaining and accessible for Spanish and non-Spanish
speakers.
Can create opportunities for inter-cultural exchange and collaborations between Spanish
speaking and English speaking organisations.
High quality theatre.
Highly skilled physical performers.
Print
• Full colour double-sided A5 flyers
• Full colour A4 and A3 posters.
Trailer
Check our trailer here
(more video links –including the full show- available on request)
Images
• High-resolution publicity shots are available for download from the company website.
Press
Members of the company will be available for press and radio interviews.
Please contact: Patricia Rodríguez ([email protected])
Little Soldier Productions is Facebook/ Twitter active
www.youandmetheplay.com
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CAST AND CREW BIOGRAPHIES
Bryony Shanahan (Director) has worked with Bear Trap Theatre as Assistant Director to
their award winning show Bound at Southwark Playhouse, as well as being Tour Director on
their National Tour. In 2011, Bryony returned to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where she
directed Perffection (an adaptation of Charlotte Joesphine script) which received five star
reviews and many plaudits for its innovative and delicate handling of the difficult subject of
eating disorders. Early this year, she directed Babies, a piece of new writing by Ben Coren, as
part of the Little Pieces of Gold short play festival at Southwark Playhouse.
Bryony has recently directed the acclaimed one woman show Bitch Boxer as part of the Old
Vic New Voices Edinburgh season, with her own company ‘Snuff Box Theatre’. Bitch Boxer
will transfer to Soho Theatre in February 2013. She has recently opened Altitude Brothers,
produced by the same company and is getting ready for its 2013/2014 UK tour.
Patricia Rodríguez (Performer) is an award-winning actress and the Artistic Director of Little
Soldier Productions. After finishing her studies in El Instituto de las Artes Escenicas de
Asturias, Patricia worked for various companies: ‘Higiénico Papel’, ‘Barataria Teatro’ y
‘Quiquilimón’. In 2002 she won the Best Actress Award in Asturias for her role in Gasolina
con Capullos.
After developing her training at the Philippe Gaulier School in Paris, Patricia moved to
London where she has performed and produced the English premier of Ernesto Caballero
Pakita: Stimulating Bitter and Necessary, in conjunction with Greenwich Theatre, at The
New End Theatre. Patricia has also played Pakita at the New York theatre Teatro Latea.
Pakita and Sala Triangulo in Madrid during its 2012 tour.
She is now working on a new international project -All Across Europe- based on the current
European political/economical/social crisis- directed by Esther Richardson in collaboration
with Nottingham Playhouse and due to open in 2014.
Mercè Ribot (Performer). Since leaving East 15, where she trained with, among others, Ken
Campbell’s ‘School of Night’, Mercè has performed in Zoo Lodge and Snarl up (Edinburgh
Fringe), Who Will Carry the Word? (Courtyard Theatre), several short films, and was seen
with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon in The Trip on BBC 2 and in Charlie Brooker’s Black
Mirror on Channel 4.
In 2011, Mercè co-devised and performed Discombobulated with ‘Publick Transport’
opening at the Brewery Theatre and it’s further National Tour around the UK (Spring 2012).
This show was commissioned and developed through Bristol Ferment at Bristol Old Vic. She
is has also worked with ‘Move to Stand’ in Kin, that opened the Brighton Festival 2012 and
going on tour and Edinburgh Fringe Festival run in 2013. Mercè has recently appeared in the
Bush Bazaar at The Bush Theatre.
Roger Simeon (Playwright) graduated in Philosophy from the University of Girona and
Journalism from the University of Stirling. His short stories have been awarded in several
contests and published in literary compilations such as La Lluna en un Cove or Districte V. In
2010 he won the ‘Premi Boira’ of theatre with Tu i Jo (You and me). He is currently working
at the Temporada Alta de Teatre (Girona), one of the most important theatre festivals in
Europe.
www.youandmetheplay.com
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Sophia Simensky (Designer) studied Design for performance Wimbledon College of Art. Her
design credits for theatre include: An Incident at the border, Finborough (2012); Oranges on
the Brain, Pegasus, Oxford (2012); Ink, Chase the crane Theatre company (2011); The
Changeling, Underbelly (2010) and Events While Guarding the Bofor's Gun, Finborough
(2012). Costume design for film include: Screaming Guns (2012).
Sophia has also contributed to a number of visual arts projects and exhibitions, including
Fragments of Familiarity, for SHOWFLAT (2010) and her current collaborations with
Nastassja Simensky.
Seth Williams (Lighting Designer) studied Lighting Design at Wimbledon College of Art. His
most recent designs include; The End Is Near (MU Szinhaz, Budapest) and Tame Game
(European Tour) with Bloom! Dance Collective; Bound national tours and London run with
Bear Trap Theatre; The Changeling, Perffection and The Observatory (Edinburgh Fringe
Festival); Company of Strangers (Courtyard Theatre, London). He has recently designed the
acclaimed Bitch Boxer and Modern Town (Edinburgh Fringe Festival).
www.youandmetheplay.com
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PRESS RELEASE
Date issued: [insert date]
Little Soldier Productions presents an adaptation of
‘You and Me’
Written by Roger Simeon
Adapted and directed by Bryony Shanahan
At [venue]
Dates: [insert date(s)] @ [insert time]
A bitter-sweet physical comedy for anyone who is a day older than yesterday!
Two elderly Spanish sisters live in a foreign land against the backdrop of a battered rug and a
mountain of mysterious boxes. They share an existence of outrageous defamation, tender
reminiscing and pure madness, careering between affection and annoyance. But is their behaviour
just eccentricity or something more destructive?
You and Me blends laugh-out-loud comedy with empathy in a moving exploration of old age.
Performed by two Spanish Actresses living in London (Mercè Ribot and Patricia Rodríguez), and
directed by Bryony Shanahan (Bitch Boxer, Soho Theatre) Little Soldier Productions presents an
adaptation of Roger Simeon’s absurd text (Tu i Jo (Premi Boira Prize for New Writing, 2010) that
directly draws from their own roots, cultural identities and languages, giving the piece an extremely
personal touch whilst maintaining a universal theme. This piece is unique and original with a nonconventional narrative style. Notably, it has been adapted from a play about an elderly husband and
wife to one about two sisters.
Winner of the Argus Angel Award at Brighton Fringe 2013, ‘You and Me’ is a funny yet touching
story which explores old age with humour and tenderness underscored by music to create a rich
and moving hour of theatre.
Little Soldier Productions was formed by Rodríguez and Ribot in 2010 and You and Me is its second
show. Its work focuses on promoting cross-cultural artistic collaborations and creating shows that
explore the humour in even the most unlikely of situations.
'impeccably-timed physical theatre' The Stage
Writer/Translator: Roger Simeon / Directed and adapted by: Bryony Shanahan
Developed and performed by: Mercè Ribot & Patricia Rodríguez / Set Design: Sophia Simensky /
Lighting design: Seth Rook Williams /Associate Producer: Bridget Floyer
Supported by: golocalise, Codorniu, Laserpanda, Retina y Retinette www.youandmetheplay.com
Dates: (insert date) / Time: (insert time)/ Tickets: (insert ticket prices)
Listings Information:
Venue: (insert venue)
Box Office: (Insert Box Office info_ tel num. Web link)
For press enquiries, please contact (Venue Marketing contact) or [email protected]
www.youandmetheplay.com
To see the trailer, please ckick: http://vimeo.com/45966107
High resolution photos available.
All members of the company are available for interview (in Spanish and English).
www.youandmetheplay.com
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Company Info
Little Soldier Productions
Little Soldier Productions is a UK based company founded in London in 2010. Co-directed by
Patricia Rodríguez and Mercè Ribot, the company is committed to the production of
innovative and courageous professional theatre that entertains, engages, and stretches
creative and artistic boundaries both in the UK and internationally.
Previous Show (Pakita: Stimulating, Bitter and Necessary)
‘Pakita’ is the other show of Little Soldier Productions, co-produced by Greenwich Theatre.
The production was presented for three weeks in October 2010 at the New End Theatre in
Hampstead, and for two exclusive performances at Greenwich Theatre in May 2011. Then,
in partnership with US based Teatro Latea and Teatro IATI, opened off-Broadway in
February 2012 to public and critical acclaim.
Abandoned by the man she had fallen so desperately in love with, the brokenhearted Pakita
finally finds the courage to join a lonely hearts group and share her story, but the tale that
unfolds is not as innocent as it first appears. From broken hearted lover to fragile psychiatric
patient, award-winning Spanish playwright Ernesto Caballero paints a picture of love,
addiction and peculiar obsession, before unveiling an audacious final act in which life
imitates art in the most tragic way.
Press Quotes (Pakita)
“Patricia Rodríguez delivers a powerfully engaging and believable performance that will
captivate your attention; so intimate is her portrayal of this damaged character that the
barrier between the audience and the performance disappears, Flawless, compelling,
outstanding performance.”
(Three weeks)
“Rodríguez's conviction and the power of her despairing delivery makes it compelling”.
(Jay Richardson. The Scotsman)
“Patricia Rodríguez is a very talented actress. Rodríguez has a natural ability to bring her
emotions to the surface and manages to create a wonderfully layered and enormously
watchable character.”
(Nathan Witts. Edinburgh Guide)
www.youandmetheplay.com
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COMPANY CONTACT
To book You and Me
If you are interested in booking the show or want to speak to the company then please contact
Mercè Ribot or Patricia Rodríguez contact us on:
[email protected]
For more information, pictures, videos and reviews go to:
www.youandmetheplay.com
Proud Sponsors:
golocalise
www.youandmetheplay.com
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